Chapter 271
Joseph was a handsome man, and he looked aloof when he wasn't talking. He had this forbidden aura about him,
and with his position as a bodyguard thrown into the mix, he gave off a considerable sense of security. Moreover,
he was around 6 feet tall, and his body was firm and toned, on the same level as Shawn. He could be considered
perfect, and he would have no lack of girls going after him.
But now, he proclaimed himself a bodyguard who put his life on the line for others. His self-doubt could obviously be
seen between the lines. Seeing that he had negative thoughts all the time, I instantly felt my mood drop.
Because he was my subordinate, when I saw self-doubt in him, I didn't want it to seem as if I were the one who
made him feel like that. I wanted to know which wealthy young lady made him feel that way.
"Can you tell me her name?" I knew it was personal, but I had to try my luck.
Joseph curved his lips and refused to explain. "She's way out of my league, so I should just seal my feelings in the
depths of my heart."
My gaze fell upon his expression filled with self-depreciation. After some thought, I promised him, "If you like her, I
can help you convince her. After all, I'm the president of Xenos Solutions. If I—"
Joseph pursed his lips and gently interrupted me, saying, "Miss, she's a brilliant star, so she should be with men like
Mr. Xenos. I'm just a nobody. Even if you helped me convince her, she still wouldn't spare me a thought. So, I can
only hide her identity and my feelings for her in my heart, and none shall know the truth."
Since Joseph was so insistent, I couldn't ask any further. I reached out and patted him on the back, encouraging him
as I said, "At least you loved her before. Like me, I've liked someone for nine years… I didn't need to get anything
from him, but the love was like a ray of light that gave me warmth."
"Yes, I've always thought of it like that."
"If there's anything you need, just come to me." He was someone dear to me as well, so I gave him my word.
"Thank you for your concern, Miss."
It wasn't until much later that I found out whom Joseph liked. She truly was a star he could never hope to reach in
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtthe depths of his heart. And for that, he had suffered.
…
After we stayed for a while by the river, the weather became too cold, so we returned to the villa. Shawn was still
sleeping, and I was playing video games in the living room when I received a message from Diego.
'You're not going back to Bryxton?'
'Yes, I'll only be back tomorrow morning.'
'Wanna go somewhere with me?'
I remembered the get-together Diego mentioned before. If my memory serves me right, he's into Emma.
As for Christopher…
I was leaning a lot in Christopher's favor. That man was about 33 years old, almost 14 years older than Emma. He
was way past his youth, and he needed a wife more urgently than Diego. Hence, I decisively declined.
'I'm busy.'
'Please, it's just 2 hours. I'll take you to the Hayes Residence afterward. I heard from my grandpa that you're going
with Shawn back to the Hayes Residence, but I think that spoiled brat called Tracy would throw a tantrum if she saw
you at the Hayes Residence. You have to prepare yourself for that!'
So Shawn had already told Old Master Hayes that I would go back to the Hayes Residence with him. He had always
had an eye for detail and was very considerate.
'It's okay. Tracy can't do much damage.'
With Shawn around, Tracy wouldn't dare act recklessly. Naturally, she couldn't be too outrageous.
'Fine, so I'm worried for nothing. Come out and play!'
Diego was really intent on inviting me out. Seeing his stubbornness, I didn't have the heart to keep declining, so I
complied and agreed. Elated, Diego hung up. A short while later, Emma sent me a message.
'Diego just called and said you want to go drinking with me, is that right?'
Drinking?!
Emma was a lightweight, and if she got drunk, Diego might take advantage of her. After thinking for a bit, I replied,
'You can choose not to drink.'
'There's a concert tonight. Shall we go?'
Emma's suggestion was wonderful. 'Then message Diego and tell him that you want to go to a concert. I'm not
close to him, so he might blame me for changing the schedule without consulting anybody.'
'Okay, I'll send you the address.'
Emma sent the address to my phone. It was at the city center of Espoo, near the mall Shawn and I went to in the
afternoon. It would take a few hours to reach the place.
To be honest, after all the ordeal these days, where I was either on the go or preparing to be on the go, I wasn't
looking forward to this journey. Hence, I decided to just ask Joseph to prepare a helicopter.
It was half an hour later when Joseph and I arrived at the city center. Emma was already there, but Diego was still
on his way. Emma sent a message in the group chat to ask him.
'I'm on the road, and I still have an hour to go, so you guys can have fun first. I'll contact you when I arrive.' His
reply came rather quickly.
Emma replied with an 'OK'. Noticing the messages, Kevin asked, 'Where are you guys going?'
Emma replied, 'I'm attending a concert with Renee.'
Emma put away her phone and led me inside the concert venue. She even bought two pairs of LED rabbit ears at
the entrance. After putting on a pair, she helped me put on another. Smiling, I said happily, "I've only ever seen
Christopher's concerts, so this is considered my first live concert."
When I mentioned Christopher, Emma had a dark expression on her face. Sensing that, I asked, "What's wrong?"
"He hasn't contacted me ever since New Year's."
Christopher must still be mad about Diego bringing her to Finland on New Year's, but I had explained to Christopher
that Emma did it for work. I suddenly realized that Christopher must be mad that Emma never explained anything
to him, and he likely felt ignored.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmChristopher was probably tired from pouring too much effort into this relationship.
"Are you disappointed?" I turned to face Emma.
The lights of the concert venue were flashing about, and it was getting crowded. Narrowing her eyes, Emma
suddenly commented, "Perhaps I'm beginning to care."
From what Emma said, I could see that Christopher's feelings weren't exactly unrequited.
I coaxed her gently, "How do you plan to deal with your relationship with him? Emma, he's not an impulsive man.
He thinks through and considers every decision he makes, and that includes falling for you. He had thought
earnestly about it."
"Renee, I've been seriously thinking about it too."
I asked her, "Have you arrived at a conclusion?"
"I've been thinking for a year."
"And?" I prodded.
"I'll talk to him when I get back."
Emma had already taken the first step, so I patted her head and said, "Aw! Don't put on that sour face! Look at the
hottie on stage!"
Emma's gaze fell upon the stage, then she suddenly asked me, "Is it just me, or does that man dancing on the stage
look familiar?"
I looked over, and fear invaded my heart. No way! Not in a million years.
"How can it be?"
Emma frowned out of concern. "That's what I want to ask too."
I never thought Robert would be here. Emma was uncharacteristically scared as she said, "Him being here only
spells bad news. Let's leave first, in case we get involved."
"You're this scared of him?" Leave? Girl! I just got here!
Emma pulled me toward the entrance of the concert venue, explaining, "Robert has a terrible personality, and he
always liked to cause trouble and make a mess of everything. I was even shocked to see him at Olivia's wedding,
but fortunately, he didn't cause any trouble back then!"
"Let's leave first, then."